FORMER Glamorgan star Jimmy Maher is backing his fellow Aussie Mike Kasprowicz to succeed him as the county's overseas player.

Kasprowicz, capped 17 times at Test level, is hot favourite for the role left vacant by his Queensland team-mate.

Pakistani superstar Wasim Akram has also been linked with Glamorgan, but injury concerns and Akram's rumoured unwillingness to play a full season are likely to rule him out.

Glamorgan have already ruled out a bid to sign up Shoaib Akhtar, despite the Rawalpindi Express expressing an interest in the job.

So that appears to leave the way clear for 30-year-old Kasprowicz, who has previous County Championship experience with Leicestershire and Essex.

And should he be looking for a reference, Kasprowicz need look no further than Maher.

"Kasprowicz is a very good bowler as far as I'm concerned," he said.

"He's done well for Queensland over a number of years, and has been a consistent part of their side.

"He's played for Australia and proved to be a success at that level, and he's done a good job in the County Championship before.

"So I cannot see any reason why he shouldn't do very well, assuming he plays for Glamorgan."

Kasprowicz, who is close to topping 600 first class wickets, is in the running for the overseas post because Glamorgan are desperate to add a top draw strike bowler to their armoury for the coming season.

The county's preference has left opening bat Maher high and dry.

"Mike doesn't seem to think he is in contention for the role, but apparently Glamorgan are interested in him," added Maher, who topped Glamorgan's batting averages last year.

" I'm personally disappointed that I won't be returning to Glamorgan this time around.

" I feel it would have been good for me to go back for a second year - the continuity would have been perfect.

"But it's Glamorgan's decision. All I can do is hope that there will be another opportunity for me around the corner."

Meanwhile, Maher has had cause for celebration having been drafted into the Australian party for a oneday series against South Africa and Zimbabwe, while Waugh twins Mark and Steve have been controversially excluded.

But he's refusing to get carried away about his chances of making the 2003 World Cup.

"Hopefully I can do well and so will the team," added Maher. "But I'll just have to wait and see what happens after that."